Lacrosse mask



Fab 2, 1932.

R. VAN ORMAN LAGROSSE MASK Filed June 6, 1950 INVENTOR Hwy M1? @im Patented Feb. 2, 1932 UNITED STATES 4RAY VAN OBMAN, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, vASSIG-N'Olt T0 A. G. SPALDENG & BROS.,

Lenser.

Price OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY LAcaossn MASK Application filed June A6, 1930. Serial No. 459,548.

other masks have embodied complete protec? tion for the face of a player from being accidentally struck by the ball during play. Such masks have been formed of a net work or frame of suiiiciently rugged metal to deflect the ball or other object which is directed toward the players face, suitable apertures being provided in the frame to afford a degree of visibility. Where the player is actively engaged in playing over a sustained period of time and the action is great, the existing forms of masks have been found to be a serious impediment, offering not only a ratherk bulky and inconvenient mask to be carried by the player but also obstructing his vision. As a result the tendency has been not to wear masks, although the urgent need for them has existed.

In View of the foregoing, the present invention seeks to provide a mask which affords suitable protection for the player without obstructing his vision.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mask of the above character which is relatively small and light, at the same time providing adequate protection for the mostvulnerable portions of the players face.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mask which is simple of construction and which is readily donned and doifed, at the same time affording a free and unobstructed vision for the player and adequate protection for the vulnerable portions of his face.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention L is described in greater detail in connection with Vthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation, showing a mask constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation show- 55 ing the mask-of Figure 1.- Y Figure 3 is a view in section taken on line A3--3 of Figure l, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a view in'section taken on line 60 1 -4 of Figure 1, and lookingvin the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the vabove drawings, a vertical protective piece 1 is bent to conform generally to the profile of a human face, the ends thereof terminating adjacentthe forehead and chin. The upper end, that is, the end terminating adjacent the forehead, is suitably secured to a forehead plate 2, as by welding or other suitable means. The fore- 7 0 head plate is bent to conform generally to the horizontal profileof the forehead and carries a cushioning pad 3 of sponge rubber or other suitable material over which a layer 4 of soft, pliable leather or other suitable material is y mounted. An outer layer 5 covers the end of the protective piece 1 as well as the forehead plate 2 and is preferably formed of a relatively stiff leather to resist blows which may be sustained thereby.

Tabs 6 are formed on the layer 5 and have secured thereto suitable elastics 7 vwhich are connected to a head strap 8 provided vwith lacings'9 or other suitable means for securing the mask over the head of a player.

The lower end of the vertical piece 1 is secured to a chin cup 10 which is preferably formed of metal, similar to the plate 2. The cup is shaped 4to conform to the contour of the chin of a player and, along its inner surface is provided with a pad 11 of sponge rubber or other suitable cushioning material;

A layer of softv pliable leather 12 or other material is mounted over the cushioning material 11 and is secured in .place by being 95 l thereto the elastic bands 15 which are secured to straps 16 having lacings 17 Which may serve as a means for securing the straps around the head of a player and to the strap 8.

To serve as ai bracing member, as Well as an additional protective element, al generally7 U-shaped reentrant metallic protective piece 18 is` formedz with benty extremitiesl). which` are secured to the sidesot the chin cup. piece 10. rllhe protective piece 18 has spaced.' bent portions 19 which terminate in a connecting portion 12, the mid portion oi which is ivelted or otherwise suitably` secured' tothe ver-f tical protective piece 1 at 21. In this manner, the mouth etV thepiayer is fully pro* Jsecte-dI aga-inst accidentalbl'oivs and the face thus' adequately protectedl Without impairing the vision of the Wea-rer. Thel Weight oi'- the vniasl'r` almost insigniiicant and its bulk is slight, thus of-iering'practicaliy noobjectionablefeatures which Wouldtend to causeth'emasl'r to be east asideA and discarded during play.

While: the invention has been described with specific reference toV the accompanying drawings, it is not to he limited', savel as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. A protective device comprising afore head plate, cushioning material carried thereH with, fastening straps secured thereto, a chin cup, cushioning` materialy carried thereby,` a

singlie Vprotective member securing the tvvoI first members together, said last named membercomprising; a rigid Wire disposed in the; median plane of the two first members and conforming generally to the profile of the human face, anda second protective mein-- ber secured to the chin member and the first member.

21 protective device comprising ay forehead engaging mem'ber5, an independent chin engaging member, a single protectiveI member securing the tvvo first members' together and constituting th e sole connection therebetween, said last named member comprising a rigidl means disposed in the median plane ofthe' tvvo'first members, said protective member conforming generally to the profile ofv thev human face, andy a protective member secured at a single point intermediate its ends to theV first protective member adjacent the nosel protecting portion thereof, and at itsy ends to space points` on the chin member.

S A protective device comprising a forehead engaging member', a-n independent chin engaging member, a single protective memp ber securing' the tivo first members together and constituting thesole connection therebetween, said lfast named member comprising a rigid means disposed in the median plane of the tivo first members, said protective member conforming generally to the profile of the liiunian'tace, and a protective member seber comprising a. rigid Wire disposed in'` the.

median piane of' thetivo. first members and conforming generally to the proile of the human face, and a second protective rigid AWire secured at its ends to the chin member and intermediatefits ends at a single point to the first protective member.

'liliis specification signed this@i day of'J une RAY VAN @RMANL leo 

